Solvatochromic sensor array for the identification of common organic solvents

Abstract

A cross-reactive colorimetric sensor array composed of solvatochromic dyes in semi-liquid matrices was used to successfully discriminate among eleven common solvents. The multidimensional array response is attributed to both chemical (i.e., analyte-dye interactions) and physical (i.e., spot blooming and refractive index alteration) changes in the sensor spot.